The Other Side

Yesterday was an incredible day. They have built a new hospital in Tapita, in Nimba County, which is about a 9 hour drive from Monrovia, near the Ivory Coast. They asked the HEARTT director and the volunteers to come see it, and consider helping to staff it. Since it is the rainy seaason, the roads may or may not be passable, and there is no way of knowing. Since we are only here for a limited time, it was decided we should take a helicopter to ensure we could get there.
This was such an unbelievable ride. We were flown over much of Liberia, and we got to see a Liberia that is very different from the Liberia I know. About 5 minutes into the ride, the city (and almost all the roads) disappeared. All you could see was dense rainforest for miles and miles. Occasionally, there would be a small clearing with 4-5 huts. The green jungle rose and fell over the hills, some areas drenched in rain, some in sun, with the clear blue coast alongside. It was breathtaking.
When we arrived in Tapita, we were greeted by a group sent to welcome us. We were then escorted to the hospital. The town is a small, rural village, with most people living in huts and zinc houses, a few small stores and restaurants. The hospital was a gorgeous new sturcture, with very impressive facilites. At the hospital, we were met by the community health worker, the local chiefs, and local people who are involved with the hospital. They very formally greeted us in a receiving line and took us on a tour. During the tour, I was speaking to some local women about health care in the community. They have no working hospital, and the closest clinic is 6 miles away. They have a high disease burden, and most people cannot afford the fees of the clinic, so they do not go. One of the mothers told me: "It's terrible. Every 5 minutes you turn around, somebody's child is sick, somebody's child has died. It is too much." These women were amazing, kind and warm people. One of them asked me "Would you come to work in Tapita?" We talked for a while, about how there needs to be more than doctors, nurses, medicines, and equipment. But if all that was in place, I would be happy to work in such a nice hospital. I said: "I hope that all of these things come soon for you. I believe that children deserve to have someone to care for them. Children in Liberia, children in America, children everywhere. She held my gaze and said: "Now Doc, that thing is true." The power of that moment will be with me for a long time.
After the hospital meeting, we were escorted to lunch, which was a meat stew over rice with soda to drink. These people had so little, but were so proud to host us with what I am sure was a very expensive meal.
We could not stay long, but the people of Tapita made a big impression on me. I will not forget their warmth, their generosity, or their kindness. I hope HEARTT can work to help them soon.
When I arrived back at JFK, there was a lot to do. Two new infants in the NICU with respiratory distress, one began seizing an hour after birth. One of them was completely pale, I was worried he would go into hypovolemic shock at any moment. They are both stable today.
we have 2 patients with Tetanus on the wards, stable but on a heavy dose of sedatives.  We are trying to walk the balance of preventing spasms but not suppressing respirations. It is so hard to see children suffer from such a completely preventable disease.
I hope you are all well. Please keep the children of Liberia in your prayers.